Hunting blind having a camouflaging sloped profile

ABSTRACT

A skirt for a lay-down type hunting blind of the type having a shell for enclosing an occupant in a recumbent position. The skirt comprises at least one panel having a proximate edge and a distal edge. The proximate edge of the skirt attaches to the top perimeter edge of the shell. The skirt&#39;s distal edge is securable to a ground surface such that the skirt may be extended outwardly from the top perimeter edge of the shell to a ground surface at a slope sufficiently gradual to minimize shadows and blend more naturally into outdoor environments.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hunting blind, and particularly to aportable lay-down type hunting blind having a gradually sloped profilethat minimizes shadows cast by the sun and camouflages the blind. In oneembodiment, a skirt having a sloped profile is provided for detachableattachment to a lay-down type hunting blind. Another embodiment of theinvention incorporates a collapsible housing for a dog.

BACKGROUND

Lay-down type hunting blinds are widely used by waterfowl hunters. Thistype of hunting blind is readily portable, easy to set up in arelatively flat location, and permits the occupant to assume a recumbentposition in the blind. As deployed in the field, a lay-down blind has anelongated configuration forming an enclosure. A pair of cooperatinglongitudinal doors on the top side of the blind afford access to theenclosure's interior. While in the blind with its doors closed, anoccupant is effectively concealed from view. When an object of interestapproaches, the occupant can throw open the blind doors using his or herhands and arms, abruptly sit up, and take appropriate action such asfiring a weapon.

One disadvantage with existing lay-down type hunting blinds is thatshadows are created when light strikes them at lower angles. Thesubstantially vertical portions of the sides of these blinds castshadows which can deter approaching prey. Another problem encounteredwith these type of blinds is that they appear as abrupt angular changesappear out of place in the terrain which tend to ward off prey.

Thus, there is a need for a lay-down type hunting blind having a profilethat minimizes shadows cast and maximizes the appearance of safety towaterfowl flying in the vicinity of the blind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. 1A is an exploded upper perspective view of a skirt according tothe invention and a generic representation of a lay-down type huntingblind enclosure to which the skirt can be attached.

FIG. 1B is an upper perspective view of the skirt and hunting blindenclosure shown in FIG. 1A in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the skirt and hunting blindenclosure combination shown in FIG. 1B taken along lines 2-2.

FIG. 3A is an upper perspective view of a hunting blind comprising alay-down type hunting blind enclosure and a fully integrated skirtaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3B an upper perspective view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 3Awith the flap doors open showing a portion of the enclosure's interior.

FIG. 4A is a side elevational view of the hunting blind shown in FIG.1B.

FIG. 4B is a longitudinal-sectional view of the hunting blind shown inFIG. 3A taken along lines 4B-4B.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 3Ataken along lines 5A-5A.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 3Btaken along lines 5B-5B, depicting the flap doors in the open position.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a huntingblind according to the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 3A butshowing the skirt extending completely around the enclosure.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal-sectional view of a hunting blind similar tothat shown in FIG. 4B, showing a skirt extending from the head and toeends of the hunting blind enclosure.

FIG. 8A is an upper perspective view of hunting blind similar to thatshown in FIG. 1B, but with a foldable housing at the head end of thehunting blind enclosure.

FIG. 8B is an exploded upper perspective view of the hunting blind shownin FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the hunting blind shown inFIG. 8A taken along lines 9-9.

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of a portion of the hunting blind shownin FIG. 8A taken along lines 10-10.

FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view of a portion of the hunting blind shownin FIG. 8A taken along lines 11-11.

FIG. 12A is a top plan view of a hunting blind similar to that shown inFIG. 3A.

FIG. 12B is a top plan view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 12A,showing a first portion of the skirt folded over and partiallyoverlapping the flap doors on the enclosure's shell.

FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 12B,showing a second portion of the skirt folded over and overlapping thefirst portion.

FIG. 12D is a top plan view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 12C,showing the bottom half of the folded blind folded over onto andattached to the top half of the enclosure.

FIG. 12E is a bottom plan view of the hunting blind shown in FIG. 12D,showing shoulder straps for wearing and carrying the blind in the foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 12F is a side elevational view of the hunting blind in the foldedconfiguration shown in FIG. 12E.

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of a hunting blind skirt,comprising door sleeves and an integrated skirt, covering a genericlay-down type hunting blind enclosure according to the invention.

FIG. 13A is an exploded upper perspective view of the hunting blindskirt and lay-down type hunting blind enclosure shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 13B is an upper perspective view of a hunting blind skirt shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A.

FIG. 13C is a longitudinal sectional view of the hunting blind skirtshown in FIG. 13B taken along lines 13C-13C.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hunting blindshown in FIG. 13B taken along lines 14-14.

FIG. 15A is an exploded upper perspective view of a hunting blind skirtcomprising door cover flaps and an integrated skirt, covering a genericlay-down type hunting blind enclosure according to the invention.

FIG. 15B is an upper perspective view of a hunting blind skirt shown inFIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is an upper perspective view of clips secured to a strip on theundersurface of one of the cover flaps.

FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of one of the clips shown in FIG.16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

An attachable skirt for use with hunting blind is generally indicated at10 in FIG. 1A. It is contemplated that the skirt 10, according to theinvention, will primarily be used with a lay-down type hunting blindenclosure 12 (hereinafter referred to as the “hunting blind 12”) such asthat shown in FIG. 1A, having a shell body 14 with a bottom panel (notshown), substantially vertical walls 16, a top panel 18 having flapdoors 20 providing access to the interior of the shell 14, and aninternal support framework (not shown), which in an assembledconfiguration holds the shell 14 in the form of an elongated enclosureappropriate for accommodating an occupant in a recumbent position. Thoseof skill in the art will recognize that the skirt may be used in asuitable reconfiguration with other hunting blinds having variousconfigurations, dimensions and footprints (e.g., square oroctagonally-shaped blinds).

Referring to FIG. 2, the skirt 10 comprises at least one flexible skirtpanel 22, an attachment mechanism 23 for securing the skirt 10 to theshell 14, and a fastening mechanism for securing the panel 22 to aground surface. In an alternate embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B,generally indicated at 100, the skirt 10 is fully integrated with theshell 14. In either embodiment, the skirt 10 may be formed from a singlepanel 22, as shown in FIG. 1A, or from multiple panels. Multiple panelsmay be connected at particular locations such that they are fullyintegrated into a single panel or they may be only partially attached toeach other. Alternatively, a plurality of disconnected panels may beattached to the shell 14 in close proximity to one another, thuscollectively forming a skirt around the shell.

In the illustrated embodiments, the skirt 10 is shaped and sized toeither substantially or completely surround the hunting blind 12. Thevertical walls 16 of the shell of a conventional lay-down hunting blind12 generally define a top perimeter edge 24 as seen in FIG. 1A. The topof the skirt panel 22 forms a proximate edge 26 for attaching to theshell's top perimeter edge 24. The shell's top perimeter edge 24includes two side edges 28 extending between a head edge 30 and a toeedge 32. The proximate edge 26 of the skirt panel 22 is dimensioned forextension along and attachment to at least the side edges 28 and the toeedge 32, thereby defining an opening 34 conforming to the top perimeteredge 24 of the shell 14.

When the proximate edge 26 of the skirt panel 22 is attached to the topperimeter edge 24 of the shell 14, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the skirtpanel 22 may be stretched away from the shell 14 and, once the distaledge 36 of the panel 22 is secured to a ground surface G, the panel 22assumes a gradual slope 38, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B.Applicants have determined that a slope of between about forty-five andabout seventy-five degrees from a vertical plane minimizes shadows,blends better into the natural environment, minimizes the amount ofmaterial needed to manufacture the panel, and provides cover which canbe used as additional storage space. Slopes outside this range are alsointended to fall within the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the flexible material from which the panel 22 for theskirt 10 is constructed is a tightly woven waterproof fabric, such asthose commonly used for tents and camping backpacks. Fabric suitable formanufacturing the skirt may include, for example, polyvinyls, coatedfabrics, and laminated fabrics. Alternatively, the panel 22 could beconstructed from a netting or an open-weave material, especially if sucha material can hold camouflaging material as discussed below. It isrecognized that other flexible materials suitable for outdoor use may beused to construct the skirt panel 12 or panels and need not necessarilybe waterproof.

With reference to FIG. 2, any number of devices may be used to attachthe proximate edge 26 of the skirt panel 22 to the top perimeter edge 24of the shell 14, such as ties, clips, hook-and-loop type fasteners,clasps, bands, and straps, as long as the skirt 10 is attachable to anddetachable from the shell.

The bottom or distal edge 36 of the panel 22 may be secured to a groundsurface G by means such as those commonly used to secure a tent to theground. As shown in FIG. 1A, the panel 22 has periodically spacedstaking loops 40 extending outward from the panel's distal edge 36.Stakes or the like may be passed through loops 40 to secure the distaledge 36 of the panel 22 to a ground surface G, as seen in FIGS. 4A-4B,5A-5B, and 7. Alternative methods may be used to secure the distal edge36 to the ground according to the circumstances in the field and as maybe convenient.

Referring back to FIG. 1A, like a hunting blind, the skirt 10 isintended to provide camouflage for blending in with natural environmentssuch as marshlands, fields, and wooded areas. Thus, the skirt panels 22may include flexible loop-like constructions 42 extending from the outersurface 44 of the skirt 10 for holding camouflaging material such asbrush, branches and leaves. Other structures and methods suitable forsecuring camouflaging material to the skirt 10 are also contemplated.

A particular advantage of the skirt 10 is that it does not interferewith the normal field usage of a lay-down hunting blind 12. Withreference to FIGS. 3B, 5A and 5B, it is seen that the flap doors 20 ofthe shell body 14 can be thrown open in the usual fashion withoutdisturbing the placement of the skirt panel 22 or requiring any timeconsuming reconfiguration of the blind.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict another embodiment in which the skirt 10 extendsentirely around the lay-down enclosure or hunting blind 12. Fullysurrounding the enclosure 12 with the skirt minimizes shadows in alldirections and maximizes integration of the retrofitted blind into theenvironment.

With reference now to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9, a collapsible housing 50dimensioned to enclose a hunting dog may optionally be integrated withor attached to the shell 14 at the head end 52 or toe end 54 of theshell 14. The housing 50 is dimensioned to conceal and protect a huntingdog or to serve as additional equipment storage space. While theillustrations show the housing 50 attached to the head end 52 of theshell 14, it may be attached at convenient alternative locations aroundthe perimeter of the shell 14.

The housing 50 is formed from a flexible sheet-like material folded intoa U-shape or overlapping configuration defining upper and lower sections58, 60. An inner wall 61 of the housing 50 abuts the head panel 15 ofthe shell 14 as best shown in FIG. 11. An upper edge 62 and uppercorners 64 of the upper section 58 abut the head edge 30 of the shell14, as shown in FIG. 8B. The lower section 60 has a lower inner edge 65(see FIG. 9), lower inner edge corners 66, lower outer edge 68, andlower outer edge corners 70 (see FIG. 8B). The sheet-like material maybe of any type that is flexible and suitable for outdoor use.

The housing 50 includes means 71 for attaching the upper edge 62 of thehousing 50 to the shell 14 (see FIG. 11), means 72 for fastening thelower inner edge 65 to the shell 14, and means 73 for securing the lowerouter corners 70 to a ground surface G to create a sloping upper surfacegenerally consistent with the slope 38 of skirt 10 discussed above.Means 71 and 72 are most likely hook-and-loop type fasteners, butnumerous other types of fasteners could be used, such as ties, clips,clasps, bands, and straps, that allow the housing 50 to be attached anddetached from the shell 14 without extraordinary time and effort. Means73 as illustrated are loops such as those extending from skirt 10discussed above.

FIG. 8A depicts how stretching the upper section 58 between the uppercorners 64 and the lower outer corners 70 suspends the upper section 58above the lower section 60 to form the housing 50 into an openconfiguration and define two lateral entry ports 74. When so stretched,tension lines 76 extend between the lower outer corners 70 and uppercorners 64. Folding flap doors 78 depending from the tension lines 76substantially cover the lateral entry ports 74.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 10, a flexible support frame 80 having enoughrigidity to retain a fixed bent position is embedded in the uppersection 58 in stitched sleeves 81 to provide structural support for theupper section 58 of the housing 50. In particular, the frame 80 helpssupport the housing's folded sheet-like material in an openconfiguration. The frame 80 may be constructed from bendable wire orother suitable material that is flexible yet rigid enough to reinforcethe upper section 58 in the open configuration. The frame 80 utilizes aplurality of bendable wires, one or more lateral support wires 82extending between the upper edge 62 and lower outer edge 68, and one ormore transverse wires 84 extending between or from one or more of thelateral support wires 82. With the lateral support wires 82 generallyaligned with tension lines 76, stretching the upper section 58 betweenthe upper corners 64 and the lower outer edge corners 70, as discussedabove, bends the lateral support wires 82 roughly into alignment withthe tension lines 76 and helps support the upper section 58. Thismovement correspondingly pulls the middle of the upper section 58between its two lateral edges and bends the transverse wire 84 so thatit extends between the lateral support wires 82 and further helps tosupport the upper section 58 of the housing 50. In one embodiment, thewires are sufficiently flexible that when a dog burrows into theenclosure, any outward pressure exerted by the dog will further bend thewire framework 80 outward to conform to and help accommodate the bodysize of the dog.

Disassembly of a skirt 10 and blind 12 combination is depicted in FIGS.12A-12F. After the internal frame has been disassembled, the blind 12may be collapsed to a substantially flat configuration as shown in FIG.12A. Thereafter, a first longitudinal section 86 is folded over as shownin FIG. 12B. A second longitudinal section 88 is then folded over to atleast partially overlap the first longitudinal section 86 as shown inFIG. 12C. Next, the toe end 54 of the blind is folded upwards towardsthe head end 52, as shown in FIG. 12D, forming a square or rectangularshape, and is secured with belts 90 having a connecting or lockingmechanism 92. Referring to FIGS. 12E-12F, the folded hunting blind cannow be turned over and worn by using the shoulder straps 94 disposed onthe bottom outer surface 96 of the shell 14. The entire disassembly andassembly processes each take just a few minutes. The process would besimilar for a skirt and blind combination which includes a dog housing50.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 13, an attachable hunting blindskirt 100 integrated with flap door sleeves 104 is shown covering ageneric lay-down type hunting blind 12. The skirt 100 is dimensioned tosurround the entire hunting blind 12. Though shown in use with alay-down type hunting blind 12, the skirt 100 may be configured for usewith other blinds having various shapes and sizes, and may optionally befully integrated with the hunting blind. The illustrated skirt 100 is awebbed or open-weave fabric, but could comprise many flexible fabricsincluding woven and non-woven fabrics.

Referring to FIGS. 13B, 13C, and 14, the hunting blind skirt 100comprises at least one flexible skirt panel 106 for covering themajority of the blind shell body 14, sleeves 104 extending from theskirt panel 106 dimensioned for closely enclosing the blind's flap doors20, a tightening mechanism 108 for retaining the flap doors 20 in thesleeves 104, and a fastening mechanism 110 for securing the skirt 100 toa ground surface.

The skirt panel 106 has a proximate edge 112 and a distal edge 114. Byinserting the flap doors 20 into the sleeves 104 such that the doors 20are fully enveloped by the sleeves 104, the proximate edge 112 of theskirt panel 106 aligns with the top perimeter edge 24 of the huntingblind opening 34. The skirt panel 106 meets each flap door sleeve 104 ata hinging or folding region 116 such that the flap door 20 may be freelyopened and closed unimpeded by the flap door sleeve 104. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 13A, the sleeves 104 are secured aroundthe doors 20 by a tightening mechanism 108, which includes a drawstringcord 118 with a suitable type of tightener device 120. When fullydeployed, the flap door sleeves 104 envelope the flap doors 20 and theskirt panel 106 covers the rest of the blind's shell 14. The skirt panel106 may then be stretched away from the shell body 14 and its distaledge 114 secured to a ground surface by means of a fastening mechanism110 indicated in FIG. 13C, resulting in the panel 106 assuming a gradualslope 124. The fastening mechanism may include stake loops 122 (seeFIGS. 13-13B) and stakes 126 (see FIG. 13C).

Yet another embodiment of a camouflaged hunting blind having anattachable skirt 130 and integrated door covering flaps 132 forcovering, fully surrounding and camouflaging a generic lay-down typehunting blind 12 is shown in FIG. 15A. The fabric used for constructingskirt 130 is of a type suitable for rugged outdoor use, and may includeappropriate appliques 134 to enhance its camouflaging properties. Thoseof skill in the art will recognize that skirt 130 need not be limited touse with a lay-down type hunting blind 12, and may be configured for usewith blinds and containers of various shapes and dimensions havingtop-opening doors.

Referring to FIGS. 15B, 16 and 17, the hunting blind skirt 130 comprisesat least one flexible skirt panel 136 for camouflaging the blind's shellbody 14, inwardly extending cover flaps 132 for covering the flap doors20, and a plurality of clips 138 for securing the cover flaps 132 overthe flap doors 20.

The skirt panel 136 has a proximate edge 140 and a distal edge 142. Theproximate edge 140 is dimensioned to align with and conform to the topperimeter edge 24 of the shell body 14. The cover flaps 132 extendinwardly laterally from the lengthwise sides of the proximate edge 140of the skirt panel 136, and are dimensioned to fully cover the outsidesurface 20 a of the flap doors 20. Each cover flap 132 of theillustrated embodiment has a hemmed edge 144 and an undersurface 146. Itwill be understood that the cover flaps 132 could extend beyond theedges of the flap doors 20 if desired. A strip 148 with a number ofclips 138 secured to it is attached to the bottom side 150 of the hemmededge 144 at various intervals 152. In the illustrated embodiment, theclip 138 has a generally shape G-shaped geometry having an opening 154in which to receive the strip 148 and a slot 156 to grip a section ofone of the flap doors 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the strip 148is freely received in the opening 154 such that the clip 138 can bemoved to any desired position along the strip 148 as shown in FIG. 16.The slot 156 may be rigid or semi-flexible and may incorporate a lockingelement for securely gripping the strip 148 or for adjusting thegripping tension of the clip 138 on the strip 148. The clips 138 areconstructed from a suitable material such as plastic or metal.Hook-and-loop type fasteners 160 are provided at the head and toe edgesof the proximate edge 140 of the skirt for holding onto the head and gunrests 162, 164 of the shell body 14.

The skirt 130 is used by placing it over the blind 12 and aligning thecover flaps 132 to cover the flap doors 20. The clips 138 are thenslipped over the free edge 20 b of the flap doors 20 so that the clips138 grip and hold the cover flaps 132 over the flap doors 20. In thisconfiguration, the proximate edge 140 of the skirt panel 136 is closelyaligned with the top perimeter edge 24 of the hunting blind opening 34and the cover flaps 132 overlay the flap doors 20. The covered flapdoors 20 may be freely opened and closed since the cover flaps 132easily bend about a hinging or folding region 158. The head and toeedges of the proximate edge 140 are secured to the shell body 14 byclosing the hook-and-loop fasteners 160 over the head and gun rests 162,164 as shown in FIG. 15B. Once the proximate edge 140 is in this mannersecured to and around the top perimeter edge 24, the distal edge of theskirt panel 136 may then be stretched away from the shell body 14 andsecured to a ground surface forming a substantially tapered or slopedpanel 136.

A significant advantage of the invention is that retrofitting aconventional lay-down type hunting blind with a skirt or skirting, orfully integrated lay-down hunting blind with skirting, gives the blind agradually sloped overall profile which eliminates unwanted shadows thatdeter waterfowl from approaching the blind and otherwise camouflages theblind. Skirting adds little additional weight to that of the lay-downtype blind enclosure such that the entire assembly may be carried to adesired location in the field. Moreover, a hunting blind outfitted withskirting according to the invention will blend more naturally into theenvironment and, consequently, be more effective.

While embodiments of a skirt for a lay-down type hunting blind have beendescribed and illustrated, it will be recognized and appreciated bythose skilled in the art that modifications thereof are within the truespirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications.

1. A skirt for a hunting blind having a shell, the shell having a topperimeter edge, the skirt comprising: at least one panel having aproximate edge for attachment to the top perimeter edge of the shell,and a distal edge for securement to a ground surface such that said atleast one panel may be extended angularly outward from the top perimeteredge of the shell to a ground surface.
 2. The hunting blind of claim 12wherein: said at least one panel comprises fabric.
 3. The hunting blindof claim 2 wherein: said fabric is waterproof.
 4. The hunting blind ofclaim 1 further comprising: an attachment mechanism for detachablysecuring said proximate edge of said skirt panel to said top perimeteredge of said shell.
 5. The hunting blind of claim 12 wherein: said atleast one panel has a slope of at least about forty-five degreesrelative to a vertical plane.
 6. The hunting blind of claim 12 furthercomprising: means for securing said distal edge to a ground surface. 7.The hunting blind of claim 6 wherein: said means for securing saiddistal edge to a ground surface includes stake loops positioned atspaced intervals along said distal edge such that stakes may be placedthrough said stake loops and into a ground surface.
 8. The hunting blindof claim 12 further comprising: means for attaching brush to said atleast one panel.
 9. The hunting blind of claim 8 wherein: said at leastone panel has a top surface, and said means for attaching brush to saidat least one panel includes one or more flexible loops fastened to saidtop surface.
 10. A skirt for a hunting blind having an elongated shellfor enclosing an occupant in a recumbent position, the shell having atop perimeter edge including a head edge, a toe edge, and two side edgesextending between the head and toe edges, the skirt comprising: at leastone panel having a proximate edge dimensioned for extending at leastalong the side edges and the toe edge of the top perimeter edge of theshell, said proximate edge defining an opening conforming to the topperimeter edge of the shell, means for attaching said proximate edge tothe top perimeter edge of shell, a distal edge disposed outwardly fromsaid proximate edge, and means for securing said distal edge to a groundsurface such that said at least one panel may be extended angularlyoutward from the top perimeter edge of the shell to a ground surface.11. The skirt of claim 10 wherein: means for securing said distal edgeto a ground surface includes stake loops positioned along said distaledge such that stakes may be placed through said stake loops and into aground surface.
 12. A hunting blind having a gradually sloped profile,the hunting blind comprising: a shell for enclosing an occupant, saidshell having a plurality of side panels having top edges collectivelyforming a top perimeter edge, a frame for supporting said shell in anassembled configuration, and at least one skirt panel having a proximateedge and a distal edge, said proximate edge attached to said topperimeter edge, said distal edge for securement to a ground surface suchthat said skirt panel may be extended angularly outward from said topperimeter edge to the ground surface.
 13. The hunting blind of claim 12wherein: said top perimeter edge has a head edge, a toe edge, and twoside edges extending between said head and toe edges, said proximateedge dimensioned for extending at least along said two side edges andsaid toe edge of said top perimeter edge.
 14. The hunting bond of claim13 wherein: said proximate edge defines an opening conforming to atleast said side and toe edges of said top perimeter edge.
 15. Thehunting blind of claim 12 further comprising: a flexible sheet-likematerial foldable into an overlapping configuration to define upper andlower sections, said upper section having an upper edge and uppercorners, said lower section having a lower inner edge, lower inner edgecorners, and lower outer edge corners, means for attaching said lowerinner edge of said lower section to said shell, means for attaching saidupper edge of said upper section to said shell above said lower inneredge, means for securing said lower outer corners of said lower sectionto a ground surface, an enclosure having two lateral entry ports definedby tensing said upper section between said lower outer corners and saidupper corners to suspend said upper section above said lower section.16. The hunting bond of claim 15 further comprising: tension onesextending between said lower outer corners of said lower section andsaid upper corners of said upper section, and flap doors depending fromsaid tension lines substantially covering said lateral entry ports. 17.The hunting blind of claim 15 further comprising: a flexible supportframe embedded in said upper section.
 18. The hunting blind of claim 17wherein: said support frame includes a plurality of bendable wires. 19.The hunting blind of claim 18 wherein: said lower section has a lowerouter edge, and said support frame includes one or more lateral supportwires extending between said upper edge and said lower outer edge. 20.The hunting blind of claim 19 wherein: said one or more lateral supportwires comprises a plurality of lateral support wires, and said supportframe includes one or more transverse wires extending between saidplurality of lateral support wires.
 21. A hunting blind comprising: ashell for enclosing an occupant, said shell having a plurality ofsubstantially vertical side panels, said plurality of side panels havingtop edges collectively forming a top perimeter edge, a frame forsupporting said shell in an assembled configuration, at least one panelhaving a proximate edge and a distal edge, said proximate edge attachedto said top perimeter edge, said distal edge for securement to a groundsurface such that said panel may be extended angularly outward from saidtop perimeter edge to a ground surface, a flexible sheet-like materialfoldable into an overlapping configuration to define upper and lowersections, said upper section having an upper edge, upper corners, and anembedded flexible support structure, said lower section having a lowerinner edge, lower inner edge corners, and lower outer edge corners,means for attaching said lower inner edge of said lower section to saidshell, means for attaching said upper edge of said upper section to saidshell above said lower inner edge, means for securing said lower outercorners of said lower section to a ground surface, an enclosure havingtwo lateral entry ports defined by stretching said upper section betweensaid lower outer corners and said upper corners to suspend said uppersection above said lower section, tension lines extending between saidlower outer corners of said lower section and said upper corners of saidupper section, and flap doors depending from said tension lines andsubstantially covering said lateral entry ports.
 22. A skirt forcamouflaging a hunting blind, the hunting blind having a shell having atop perimeter edge, an opening defined by the top perimeter edge, andflap doors for closing the opening, the skirt comprising: at least onepanel having a proximate edge and a distal edge, said proximate edge forextending from the top perimeter edge of the shell to a ground surfaceto surround the shell, and said distal edge for securing to a groundsurface, and sleeves extending from said proximate edge for envelopingthe flap doors.
 23. A skirt for camouflaging a blind, the blind having ashell for enclosing an occupant or an object, the shell having a topopening defined by a perimeter edge and flap doors extending from theperimeter edge for covering the top opening, the skirt comprising: atleast one panel having a proximate edge for extending along theperimeter edge of the top opening, a plurality of cover flaps extendinginwardly from said proximate edge, each of said cover flaps dimensionedfor covering one of the flap doors, each of said cover flaps having anundersurface, a plurality of clips secured to said undersurface, each ofsaid clips for removable attachment to one of the flap doors, and adistal edge disposed outwardly from said proximate edge for securing toa ground surface, whereby said at least one panel may be deployed fromand around the top opening to the ground surface in a taperedconfiguration to camouflage the blind.
 24. The skirt of claim 23 furthercomprising: a strip attached to and extending along said undersurface,said plurality of clips secured to said strip.
 25. The skirt of claim 24wherein: each of said cover flaps has a hem along said edge, said hemhaving a bottom surface, said strip attached to said bottom surface. 26.The skirt of claim 25 wherein: said strip is attached at intervals tosaid bottom surface.
 27. The skirt of claim 24 wherein: each of saidclips has an opening through which said strip passes such that saidclips are strung along said strip.
 28. The skirt of claim 27 wherein:each of said clips has a slot for gripping one of the flap doors. 29.The skirt of claim 28 wherein: said flaps doors each have a free edge,said cups are spaced from said proximate edge such that when said coverflaps cover said flap doors, said clips are arrayed in alignment withsaid free edges.